After the 14 non-Russian republics of the old Soviet Union went their ways, Russia was left with more than a score of autonomous ethnically named regions and republics.

ECONOMIST: Devolution can be salvation

The State Grid Corporation of China covers 25 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, while the China Southern Power Grid Co.

FORBES: Cracking China's Power Sector

It is possible that the mere existence of the ECB safety net is enough to maintain investor confidence, but Spain has some internal challenges: Madrid has little control over its (more fiscally irresponsible) semi-autonomous regions, its banks are in major trouble and its labor market needs urgent reform.

FORBES: What To Expect From The Eurozone In 2013

The bill hands the regions new powers over health, education and even policing, similar to those of some of Spain's autonomous regions.

ECONOMIST: Italian government